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Ohio State Football: 10 greatest coaches in program history

By Quinn Douglas

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the sideline during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the sideline during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: An Ohio State Buckeye helmet is seen on the sidelines prior to the start of the game during the All State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 01: An Ohio State Buckeye helmet is seen on the sidelines prior to the start of the game during the All State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

3. Francis Schmidt: 1934-1940

  • Career record: 39-16-1
  • Awards and Accolades: 1935, ’39 Big Ten Champions, CFB Hall of Fame Class of 1971

A man who played a big role in the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry was Hall of Fame coach Francis Schmidt. Schmidt got his start in coaching at Tulsa and after World War I, became the head coach for three seasons. He then spent seven years as head coach at Arkansas, compiling a 41-21-3 record. Schmidt then spent five seasons at TCU, amassing an impressive 45-6-5. Schmidt arrived in Columbus in the fall of 1934.

In his first two years Schmidt only lost a combined two games and won the 1935 Big Ten Championship. Following a few mediocre seasons, Schmidt’s Buckeyes were once again Big Ten Champions in 1939, winning the conference with a 6-2 record. Following a 4-4 season in 1940, Schmidt stepped down as Buckeyes head coach, paving the way for Paul Brown. Schmidt finished his Ohio State career with a 39-16-1 record.

Schmidt would go on to coach two more seasons at Idaho before the university cut the program due to World War II, forcing Schmidt to retire.

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